Leadout extraordinaire Gert Steegmans is busy preparing for a tough weekend of racing at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. Still, that didn't stop him from answering fan questions from our website while he was in the massage room of soigneur Kurt van Roosbroeck. Question 1. Paul BurgoineGert lots of lead out men go off to be sprinters but not all succeed, although as a lead out men they are fantastic. Why do you think this is, and are you happy to be back leading out Boonen? You work well together. Maybe it is different between leading out and doing the sprint yourself, with the pressure. Maybe they don't have a good leadout man in front of them. It's pretty hard to say. A real sprinter has a good jump and top speed, and a leadout man has less of a big jump but a longer jump. So the top speed is maybe a little less. They go longer and not so fast. It's always nice to work with a guy like Tom Boonen. We've known each other since we were young guys. He's always been grateful after victories but also defeat. Maybe that is the most important thing. It's easy to be nice when you win, but not easy to also be nice when you have a bad sprint.
Question 2. Sam Bolster
What are the sensations like in the final 2K when you have Boonen or Chicchi on your wheel, leading them to the sprint?
It depends. if you feel really good and strong, there's nothing going on and you don't think. Everything just works out. But when you don't feel good and you think too much, nothing works out. The best thing is a spotless mind. Nothing in your brain. Nothing makes you anxious about crashing or whatever. Everything works out and goes perfect.
Question 3. Jean-Jacques Dewulf and Furkan Yucel
Why did you return to Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team after leaving for another team?
The time was right to come back to the place where I had the biggest success of my career. It was like coming home again.
Question 4. Diego De Kerf
What was the most memorable moment of your career?
The birth of my daughter Maélya, on 6/6/2011. Also, from a sporting point of view, the Champs Elysées in Paris in 2008.
Question 5. Jonas Noet
What was Gert Steegman's first victory?
It was 1992, I was 11 years old. The Villers L'eveque. It was my first race, so I won immediately.
Question 6. Simon Vandeputte
Who do you prefer to lead out for a sprint? Tom Boonen, Gerald Ciolek or Francesco Chicchi?
I do not care who I am leading out. If the guy sitting on my wheel wins, I am happy and the team is happy. The guy on my wheel has to be my teammate. That is what is important.
Question 7. Gauthier Vdb
What do you think of the clothing of Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team?
Well they look really good when everyone is wearing them. The mix of the two colors, two strong colors and logos — to mix them, it's well done.
Question 8 Bart Janssen
Would Gent-Wevelgem be something for you this year?
Yes. I like the race and hope the race likes me this year. I've had a few good results, last year I remember I did the leadout for Tom. This year it will be a pretty busy week. I hope fresh legs will make for a good result.
Question 9. Lucas Detry
Do you like to help Boonen for his sprint, or to sprint for yourself?
I like to sprint for myself when I am 100 percent and sprint for Tom if he is there and feels 100 percent. I always have liked doing leadouts for him. It is always a cool situation. As I said earlier, Tom is a good guy when you do a good leadout, but also not angry when it goes wrong. That is the most important thing.
Question 10. David Imbo (via e-mail)
Which is your favourite food and beverage?
Basically I like everything, but my favourite dish is Tortellini and pasta in general. My favourite beverage is sparkling water. Nothing better when you are thirsty.
